June 28, Colombo: Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities today warned stern action against extremist groups and individuals who are spreading religious hatred in the country through various media.

Sri Lanka's Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa today has ordered the authorities to take stern action against individuals who are inciting racial and religious hatred using social media, local Ada Derana reported.

Meanwhile, the police also warned today that action will be taken against extremist groups which attempt to inflame religious tensions among the communities in Sri Lanka.

Following the recent communal clashes between the Sinhalese and Muslim people in the southern coastal towns Aluthgama and Beruwala Sri Lankan authorities have noticed an increase in use of social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter to spread religious hatred by various groups and individuals.

Rumors and false information are being spread through text messages and anti-Muslim and anti-Buddhist Facebook accounts raising inflammatory sentiments to destabilize the country, the authorities have alleged.

The police, which had come under severe criticism for being ineffective and allowing the communal clashes to get out of hand in the two coastal towns, organized a walk and rally in Colombo to promote ethnic and religious harmony among the communities.

Speaking at the rally senior DIG Anura Senanayake has said that the extremist groups are everywhere attempting to destroy the harmony and peace in the country and stressed that the police will not allow such attempts.